Extremely Average #242: My First Commission

Yesterday I was asked to build a tiny box. This is fortunate, because I only know how to do one thing…build tiny boxes. The request, from a reader, was to build a box similar to my first successful tiny walnut box. It is interesting to note that the entire conversation took place on Twitter. He asked me if I planned to build any more like the first one, because it was his favorite. I said I would build him one, and the deal was done.

I have been having trouble sleeping lately. I didn’t have much work to do today, and I woke up at 3 am. When I can’t sleep, I head to the shop. My first completed tiny box took 3 weeks. I finished the commission in one. It is, without question, my best box yet. More importantly, I got some ideas, while I was working on it, for another box.

Hello Brian I´m sorry to report this but there seems to be smoething wrong6 lines under your picture in your blog there is a 1½inch board that just cover the textand beside from the words “exstreamly average designed by SRS solutions” its blankI´ll check up on the history in about 15 hours after a sleep ..loland see if you have solved it :-)

I have enjoyed your posts and investigated your website/tiny box blog over the past couple of posts. I am howling- your blog is so funny- and I see it as a fantastic marketing tool for your tiny boxes. I mean no disrespect here, but when I read the recent bog posts about the tiny box “Henry” being a form of Zen, and the box containing the soul of the tree etc. etc. and couple that with your naming your tiny boxes, and creating a little bio/personna for them, and having the tiny box be “adopted” as if it were a pet; honestly the whole thing is sort of like a new age- zen style PET ROCK. And we all know how successful the pet rock thing was. Also, I have just finished reading that book, “Eat, Pray, Love” which is about to become a major film (starring Julia Roberts).. and I am thinking that your idea of the tiny box people might be timed just about right… Maybe try and link your blog to the author of the Eat, Pray, Love book? I can’t remember her name… LOL… The book was a bit out of my normal taste in genre… but… your blog fits I think? Maybe include a little piece of parchment like a tiny scroll with some meditative chant or some positive thoughts and include it inside each tiny box? Round out the whole Zen, soul in the box theme? Also- I thought the tiny box Zen style would make a cool place to put an engagement ring? That would be a great blog entry for the tiny bride to be box? :)

-- Homer : "Oh, and how is education supposed to make me feel smarter? Besides, every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain."

Several people have mentioned that I am doing a really good job of marketing my tiny boxes. When I started building them, I only had one goal…make a 45 degree cut accurately. I had planned on keeping all the boxes, but a few people said they would like to buy them. So I put up an Etsy store, and I will add more to it.

Now that I have had one sale, and one commission, I am thinking it might be fun to try to make some ‘tool’ money, through selling my creations.

Your ideas are great. In fact, I have an idea for a future project, which I think you will find to be VERY zen. I am going to start on it next week.

I don’t know how many woodworking things I can sell, and ultimately I won’t be too disappointed if I don’t sell too many. The important thing for me to remember is that the point is to get better and continue to learn woodworking.

Congrats !The moral of this story is:You don’t have to sell any—-and you do.You are enjoying what you are building, learning along the way, having fun.Keep going.Rivergirl has said it very well, no need for me to repeat her words.

I am telling you that blog is hysterical.. and the better your skills get- the more boxes you will sell.. Go with the zen box.. and put that mystical mantra scroll note inside.. like a fortune cookie for your tiny boxes. I LOVE IT!

-- Homer : "Oh, and how is education supposed to make me feel smarter? Besides, every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain."

realy its a great way to promote your boxes if you on telling story´s about every single one :-)and sendt a copy with them to the new owner ,i´m sure they will bee even more preciatedthank´s for the break Brian great as usual :-)